The Place of Formative Evaluations in Assessment and Ways to Reap Their Benefits

Assessment requires (1) measures of results, (2) evaluation of the processes that lead to the results, and (3) a commitment to promote change for the better. Complete assessment employs both summative and formative measures. Summative evaluation is the most common. It takes place at the end of a course, is used for evaluative purposes, and commonly measures student satisfaction. Formative evaluation takes place while a class is ongoing. It is the indispensable part of assessment that provides a way for us to continuously monitor our students' learning and diagnose our own teaching practices. Knowledge surveys provide convenient ways to examine changes in students' learning. Data from knowledge surveys have both formative and summative applications. Formative surveys of teaching practices examine process and define a “fingerprint” of the professor's teaching style, which can outline specific areas for improvement. Consultation, in-class videotapes, student management teams, and classroom assessment techniq...